 a fundamental Part of that System, which he was called in, and constituted, and sworn to maintain.
Though the Claim of all Kings, to the Throne of
Great Britain,
is a limited and deseasible Claim; yet the World can afford no Rival, in Power or Glory, to a
constitutional
Sovereign of these free Dominions.
For the Honour of their own Body, they have invested this their Head with all possible Illustration. He concentrates the Rays of many Nations. They have clothed him in royal Robes, and circled his Head with a Diadem, and enthroned him on high. And they bow down before the Mirror of their own Majesty.
Neither are his the mere Ensigns or external Shews of Regency. He is invested also with Powers, much more real than if they were absolute.
There are three capital Prerogatives, with which the King is entrusted, which, at first sight, appear of fearful and dangerous Tendency; and which must infallibly and quickly end in arbitrary Dominion, if they were not counterpoised and counteracted.
His principal Prerogative is to make War or Peace, as also Treaties, Leagues, and Alliances with foreign Potentates.
His second Prerogative is to nominate and appoint all Ministers and Servants of State, all Judges and Administrators of Justice; and all Officers, civil or military, throughout these Realms.
His third capital Prerogative is, that he should have the whole executive Power of the Government of these Nations, by his said Ministers and Officers, both civil and military.
I might here also have added a fourth Prerogative, which must have been capitally eversive of the Constitution, had it not been limited in the original Trust, I mean a Power of granting Pardon to Criminals. Had this Power been unrestrained, all Obligations to Justice might be absolved at the King's Pleasure. An evil King might even encourage the Breach of Law. He must, unquestionably, have dispensed with all illicit Acts that were perpetrated by his own Orders; and this Assurance of Pardon must, as unquestionably, have encouraged all his Ministers and Officers to execute his Will as the only Rule of their Obedience.
But God, and our glorious Ancestors be praised! he is restrained from protecting his best beloved Ministers, when they have effected or even imagined the Damage of the Constitution. He is also limited in Appeals brought by the Subject for Murder or Robbery. But, on Indictments in his own Name, for Offences against his proper Person and Government, such as Rebellion, Insurrection, Riot, and Breaches of the Peace by Murder, Maim, or Robbery,
&c.
here he is at liberty
